Summer Afternoon on Johnston Green Winegard Panarama Reading on Johnston Green
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Introduction

Most first-year students come to university with a record of outstanding academic achievement in high school. However, many high-achieving students have told us that they were able to obtain good marks in high school by doing an inconsistent — at times even minimal — amount of work. As a result, they simply haven't needed to develop many of the learning or time management skills necessary to succeed in university courses. An increasing number of entering students have little experience with writing analytical or critical essays. Though many have used the Web, they have not conducted scholarly research which integrates the use of Web materials with a range of library resources.

So, while good marks in high school may get you into university, they may not be enough to ensure the same level of achievement while you're here. There is a fundamental difference in the type of learning that is required in university compared to high school, and the level of independence and self-motivation that is expected. A drop in marks in first year is common, and many students are concerned about the subsequent risk to their scholarships and plans for graduate or professional school. Others wonder about their ability to balance academics with part-time work and/or extra-curricular activities and still meet their goals. And every student (and parent) worries about how the investment of thousands of dollars in a university education will pay off.

What, then, must students know and be able to do in order to succeed in university courses?

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